scholarly journals Post-Harvest Evaluation of Soil Physical Properties and Natural Regeneration Growth in Steep-Slope Terrains

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hadi Sohrabi ◽  
Meghdad Jourgholami ◽  
Farzam Tavankar ◽  
Rachele Venanzi ◽  
Rodolfo Picchio
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Control Area ◽  
Traffic Intensity ◽  
Significant Difference

Protection of forest soils during harvesting operations is necessary to reduce damage and accelerate recovery time. The current study aims to evaluate soil physical properties, natural regeneration, and its recovery process in treatments including slope gradient, traffic intensity and skid trail after long periods of time, after ceasing the timber harvesting operations. The most recent skidding operations within each 5 years recovery period were studied for a chronosequence of 20 years. Soil samples were taken in abandoned skid trails and data were recorded on naturally regenerated species and density. The results revealed that most soil disturbances occurred on the slopes >20%, as well as the highest levels of traffic intensity. Bulk density and penetration resistance were still higher than the control area, with a significant difference between them, while total porosity was partially recovered. Twenty years after the skidding operation, soil bulk density and penetration resistance were 13.2% and 23.7% higher than the control area, while total porosity was 9.78% lower the than value of the control area. Seedlings of 50–150 cm and >150 cm in height on skid trails had significantly lower density than those in the control. The number of seedlings per m2 was less than the control area in all skid trails and for all height classes. The proportion of seedlings present in low traffic intensity was higher than in medium and high traffic intensities. The findings confirmed that full recovery rates are lengthy, and more time than 20 years is required to fully recover, especially with regards to penetration resistance.

scholarly journals Variations in selected soil physical properties with landforms and slope within an inland valley ecosystem in Ashanti region of Ghana

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 73-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.E. Obalum ◽  
J.C. Nwite ◽  
J. Oppong ◽  
C.A. Igwe ◽  
T. Wakatsuki
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Particle Size Distribution ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Silt Fraction ◽  
Inland Valley

One peculiar feature of the inland valleys abundant in West Africa is their site-specific hydrology, underlain mainly by the prevailing landforms and topography. Development and management of these land resources under the increasingly popular sawah (a system of bunded, puddled and levelled rice field with facilities for irrigation and drainage) technology is a promising opportunity for enhancing rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in the region. Information on the variations in selected soil physical properties as influenced by the prevailing landforms may serve as a useful guide in site selection. This is of practical importance since majority of the inland valleys are potentially unsuitable for sawah development and most farmers in the region are of low technical level. Three landforms (river levee, elevated area and depressed area) were identified within a sawah field located in an inland valley at Ahafo Ano South District of Ghana. Each of these landforms was topsoil-sampled along on identified gradient (top, mid and bottom slope positions). Parameters determined included particle size distribution, bulk density, total porosity and field moisture content. The soil is predominantly clayey. There were no variations in the particle size distribution among the slope positions in the river levee. Overall, the river levee had lower silt content than the elevated and the depressed landforms. The bulk density, total porosity, and gravimetric moisture content indicated relative improvements only in the depressed area in the order, bottom &gt; mid &gt; top slope. Irrespective of slope position, the three landforms differed in these parameters in the order, depressed &gt; river levee &gt; elevated. The sand fraction impacted negatively on the silt fraction and bulk density of the soil, both of which controlled the soil moisture status. Despite the fairly low silt content of the soil, the silt fraction strongly influenced the gravimetric moisture content (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.80). So too did the soil bulk density on the gravimetric moisture content (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.90). It is concluded that: (1) since the landforms more prominently influenced the measured parameters than the slope positions, the former should take pre-eminence over the latter in soil suitability judgment; (2) with respect to moisture retention, variations in silt fraction and bulk density of this and other clayey inland-valley soils should be used as guide in site selection for sawah development.

scholarly journals Short and long-term effects of tillage systems and nutrient sources on soil physical properties of a Southern Brazilian Hapludox

2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 1437-1446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milton da Veiga ◽  
Dalvan José Reinert ◽  
José Miguel Reichert ◽  
Douglas Rodrigo Kaiser
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Tillage ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Nutrient Sources ◽  
Over Time

Soil tillage promotes changes in soil structure. The magnitude of the changes varies with the nature of the soil, tillage system and soil water content and decreases over time after tillage. The objective of this study was to evaluate short-term (one year period) and long-term (nine year period) effects of soil tillage and nutrient sources on some physical properties of a very clayey Hapludox. Five tillage systems were evaluated: no-till (NT), chisel plow + one secondary disking (CP), primary + two (secondary) diskings (CT), CT with burning of crop residues (CTb), and CT with removal of crop residues from the field (CTr), in combination with five nutrient sources: control without nutrient application (C); mineral fertilizers, according to technical recommendations for each crop (MF); 5 Mg ha-1 yr-1 of poultry litter (wetmatter) (PL); 60 m³ ha-1 yr-1 of cattle slurry (CS) and; 40 m³ ha-1 yr-1 of swine slurry (SS). Bulk density (BD), total porosity (TP), and parameters related to the water retention curve (macroporosity, mesoporosity and microporosity) were determined after nine years and at five sampling dates during the tenth year of the experiment. Soil physical properties were tillage and time-dependent. Tilled treatments increased total porosity and macroporosity, and reduced bulk density in the surface layer (0.00-0.05 m), but this effect decreased over time after tillage operations due to natural soil reconsolidation, since no external stress was applied in this period. Changes in pore size distribution were more pronounced in larger and medium pore diameter classes. The bulk density was greatest in intermediate layers in all tillage treatments (0.05-0.10 and 0.12-0.17 m) and decreased down to the deepest layer (0.27-0.32 m), indicating a more compacted layer around 0.05-0.20 m. Nutrient sources did not significantly affect soil physical and hydraulic properties studied.

scholarly journals Response of Cocoyam (Xanthosoma mafafa) Growth, Yield Parameters and Soil Physical Properties of Ultisol at Umudike, Southeastern Nigeria

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Iroegbu, Chidinma S ◽  
Asawalam, Damian O ◽  
O. A. Dada ◽  
J. E. Orji
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Plant Height ◽  
Poultry Manure ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Southeastern Nigeria ◽  
Number Of Leaves

Aim: To determine the effect of different rates of sawdust (SD) and poultry manure (PM) applied on some soil physical properties of acid sandy Ultisol, and some growth parameters and yield of cocoyam. Study Design: 2 x 5 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design replicated three times.  Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted in Eastern farm of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike during 2014 and 2015 planting seasons. Methodology: The treatments comprised of two manure sources at five levels each: sawdust (0, 2, 10, 15 and 20t/ha) and poultry manure (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8t/ha). The treatments were assigned randomly to the plots and incorporated into the soil two weeks before planting. Data were collected on plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, corms, cormels and total yield. Soil samples were collected with core samplers for physical properties such as Soil Bulk density and Total Porosity. All the data collected were subjected to ANOVA for factorial experiment in RCBD at 5% probability level. Results: The result showed that the interactions of poultry manure and sawdust significantly (p<0.05) improved soil bulk density and total porosity with the lowest value obtained with 0t/ha SD + 8t/ha PM in both 2014 and 2015. The result showed that the interactions of poultry manure and sawdust significantly (p<0.05) increased the leaf area with the highest value obtained with 20t/ha SD + 8t/ha PM in both 2014 and 2015. Also, only the increasing rates of treatment applied significantly (p<0.05) increased the number of leaves, plant height, leaf area and cocoyam yield with the highest value obtained with 20t/ha SD + 8t/ha PM. Also, the various rates of treatment application significantly (p<0.05) increased the cocoyam yield (weight of corms and cormels) with the highest value obtained with 20t/ha SD + 8t/ha PM. Conclusion: Improvement in growth and yield of cocoyam resulted from the improved nutrient status of the soil as a result of the amendments applied.

Temporal influence of fly ash on select soil physical properties

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 677-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Y. Salé ◽  
D. S. Chanasyk ◽  
M. A. Naeth
Keyword(s):  
Fly Ash ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Aggregate Size ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Modulus Of Rupture ◽  
Soil Reclamation ◽  
Over Time

Fly ash, as a source of calcium, has potential for soil structure amendment. This potential was tested by examining the influence of fly ash on select soil physical properties of an easily clodded clay loam soil. Fly ash:soil mixtures were varied from 0 to 100% (vol/vol). Pots of these mixtures were placed into the soil of a reclaimed surface mine and sampled four times during a 15.5-mo period: upon mixing, after one summer, after one summer and a winter and after the second summer. Bulk density, dry aggregate size distribution, penetration resistance (PR) and modulus of rupture (MOR) were assessed on soils within the pots.Adding fly ash up to 25 to 50% generally increased bulk density; adding more decreased it. Bulk density decreased over time for most of the treatments. Adding 12.5 or 25% fly ash produced the greatest percentage of aggregates within the ideal range (0.5 to 4.0 mm). Blunt-end PR was a more sensitive parameter than cone resistance. Adding 25% fly ash resulted in lower MOR while maintaining a desirable level of aggregation, thus reducing cloddiness. In general most properties varied over time, indicating the need to consider the dynamic nature of them in reclamation. Key words: Fly ash, soil reclamation, bulk density, penetration resistance, particle size distribution

scholarly journals Morphology, Growth and Architecture Response of Beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) and Maple Tree (Acer velutinum Boiss.) Seedlings to Soil Compaction Stress Caused by Mechanized Logging Operations

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodolfo Picchio ◽  
Farzam Tavankar ◽  
Mehrdad Nikooy ◽  
Giuseppe Pignatti ◽  
Rachele Venanzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Root Length ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Stem Length ◽  
Main Root ◽  
The Impact

The Caspian forests of Iran were monitored and evaluated for forest natural regeneration after logging activities for more than a decade. This large area has a substantial ecological, environmental and socio-economic importance. Ground based skidding is the most common logging method in these forests and soil compaction is the most critical consequence of this method. One of the current main topics and important emerging issue in forest research of the last decade are discussed in this study. Soil compaction has major influences on growth and/or mortality rates of forest seedlings. This study has lasted for over ten years so as to have a clear overview related to forest natural regeneration after logging activities. We monitored and evaluated physical soil properties (bulk density, penetration resistance and total porosity) and their effects on maple and beech seedlings on 10-year-old skid trails in the Iranian Caspian forests. Results obtained from evaluating the impact of skid trails within the aforementioned three soil physical parameters were significant; bulk density increased by 12.6% on log skidded routes (between two skidder tires on skid trail) and 36.1% on tire tracks, compared to non-skid trails (1.19 g/cm3), penetration resistance increased by 68% on log skidded routes and 220% on tire tracks, compared to non-skid trails (0.25 MPa), total porosity decreased by 12.8% on log skidded routes and 30.9% on tire tracks, compared to non-skid trails (54%). Among the morphological parameters, lateral root length (LRL) and root penetration depth (RPD) showed the highest decrease at soil compaction compared to the control (decrease in LRL: 60% in maple and 44% in beech; decrease in RPD: 56% in both maple and beech); the main response of growth parameters to soil compaction was found in roots (decrease in dry mass of 36% both in maple and beech); architectural parameters were also influenced by soil compaction, and the response of both seedling species was more evident in the ratio of main root to stem length (RRS) (reduction in RRS 42% in maple, 33% in beech); the ratio of RPD to main root length (RPL) also showed a great reduction (reduction in RPL 20% in maple 33% in beech). Physical soil properties, changes in other environmental properties of skid trails, created differences in beech and maple seedling growth between the skid trails and non-skid trails. This was closely related to the physiological characteristics of the two species studied. Beech seedlings reacted well to a moderate uncovering but they needed little disturbed soil, even if there was a very mixed bedding. Maple seedlings reacted better than beech seedlings to the uncovering and soil disturbance. The effects of the skid trail on morphology, growth and architecture of maple seedlings in the Hyrcanian beech forests showed that the maple, as a seedling, is a suitable species for maintaining the physical properties of skid trails after logging operations in the beech stands in the Caspian forests of Iran.

Soil physical properties of a Chernozemic clay loam after 24 years of beef cattle manure application

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
J J Miller ◽  
N J Sweetland ◽  
C. Chang
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Air Permeability ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Cattle Manure ◽  
Clay Loam ◽  
Manure Application ◽  
Soil Temperatures

Limited information exists on the influence of long-term application of beef cattle manure on soil physical properties in the Canadian prairies. A site on a clay loam soil (Dark Brown Chernozem) at Lethbridge was used to determine the effect of increased rates of manure application on selected soil physical properties in 1997 and 1998. The manure (from an unpaved feedlot) was applied annually in the fall for 24 yr at one, two and three times the 1973 recommended rates under dryland (0, 30, 60, 90 Mg ha-1 wet basis) and irrigation (0, 60, 120, 180 Mg ha-1). There was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the sand content of soil (0–10, 10–20 cm) with increased rates of manure application; and an increase in clay content for the 60 and 120 Mg ha-1 rates compared to the control under irrigation. There was a significant and negative linear relationship between increased rates of manure application and bulk density (0–5, 10–15 cm) for most seasons, and season affected bulk density values for a given manure rate. Penetration resistance (0–14 cm) was unaffected by increased rates of manure application under dryland. Under irrigation, it was significantly reduced at only the 3.5 cm and 10.5 cm depths in 1997, and at only the 3.5 cm depth in 1998. Air permeability was generally unaffected by increased rates of manure application, except for the 0–5 cm depth under irrigation, where it was significantly lowered at the highest application rate. Soil temperatures (0, 10, 20 cm) were lower under increased rates of marnure application at the 10 and 20 cm depths in the spring and summer under dryland, and they were higher at these two depths in the winter. Under irrigation, soil temperatures were lower with increased rates of manure application at the 20-cm depth in the spring, and they were higher at the 20-cm depth in the fall, and at the 0- and 20-cm depths in the winter. Overall, soil physical properties generally had a neutral or positive response to 24 yr of annual manure application at high rates, and should not cause any detrimental effects to the soil's physical condition. Key words: Manure rate, physical properties, bulk density, penetration resistance, air permeability, temperature

scholarly journals Physical properties of a rhodic haplustox under two sugarcane harvesting systems

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 1803-1809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walquíria Machado ◽  
Tiago Santos Telles ◽  
João Tavares Filho ◽  
Maria de Fátima Guimarães ◽  
Grace Bungenstab Alves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Average Diameter ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Harvesting Systems

This study had the purpose of evaluating the effects of two management types of sugarcane: harvesting of burnt cane (BCH) and mechanized harvesting of unburnt green cane (MCH), on some soil physical properties of a dystrophic Rhodic Haplustox. The data were then compared with results for the same soil type under native forest. A completely randomized design was used, with three treatments and 20 replications. The following characteristics were determined: organic matter, aggregate stability, soil bulk density, and porosity at depths of 0-0.20 m and soil penetration resistance. After 15 years of cultivation, there were some alterations in the soil under cane burnt before harvesting, evidenced by a drop in the weighted average diameter of stable aggregates in water and increased soil bulk density. Significant changes were also detected in total porosity and pore distribution under both harvesting systems. Critical values for penetration resistance were observed in the area under mechanized sugar cane harvesting, with a value of 4.5 MPa in the 40-55 cm layer. This value is considered high and could indicate compaction and restriction of root growth. Soil properties under the green cane (unburned) management system were closest to those of the soil under native forest.

scholarly journals Effect of Moldboard Plow Types on Soil Physical Properties Under Different Soil Moisture Content and Tractor Speed

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-58
Author(s):  
Aqeel J. Nassir
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Porosity ◽  
Soil Penetration Resistance ◽  
Moldboard Plow

An experiment was conducted in fields of Agriculture college, University  of Basrah. The experiment was designed with split-spilt plots in Complete Randomized Blocks Design Treatments included three types of moldboard plows: helical,  semi digger and general –purpose, three soil moisture content levels (10.23,16.47 and 24.68%), and four tractor speed of 0.41, 0.56, 0.86 and 1.21 m sec -1  . The soil  physical properties were determined after plowing soil by using three types of moldboard plow. The results showed that there was significant effect of moldboard plow types, soil moisture content and tractor speed on soil physical properties including bulk density, soil porosity, soil penetration resistance and pulverization ratio. Results also indicated that the effect of interaction among plow types, soil moisture content and tractor speed was significantly on soil penetration resistance and pulverization ratios while it had not significantly effect on bulk density, soil porosity. In general, soil physical properties, had been improved when using high tractor speed and moderate soil moisture content whereas optimal operation was obtained when using general-purpose plow type and  high tractor speed of 1.12 m sec -1 and soil moisture content of 16.47% where this combination gives low bulk density (0.96Mg m-3), high soil porosity (63.90%) high soil pulverization ratio (74%) and low soil penetration resistance (623.47 kN m-2).

scholarly journals Interactive Effect of Land Preparation Methods and Weeding Frequency on Seasonal Soil Properties and Maize Yield

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Appah ◽  
S. H. M. Aikins
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Preparation Methods ◽  
Land Preparation

Dynamics of soil physical properties and maize yield were investigated in both major and minor cropping seasons under different land preparation methods and weeding frequency. A factorial design experiment was organized on a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The land preparation methods were plough + harrow (P + H) and no-tillage (NT) while weeding frequency treatments comprised 0, 1, 2 and 3-hoeing regimes. In both seasons, P + H yielded good penetration resistance and bulk density, high moisture content and total porosity, and maximum total grain yield than NT. Also, agitating the soil surface at different weeding frequency improved soil physical properties and maize yield parameters. Furthermore, lower penetration resistance and bulk density but higher moisture content and porosity were recorded on hoeing regime(s) than 0-hoeing. The interactive effect of land preparation methods versus weeding frequency on soil properties was significant except penetration resistance during minor season and total porosity during major season. Maximum total grain yield was obtained from P + H vs 2-hoeing treatment plots in both seasons. Generally, increasing weeding frequency on P + H plots enhanced soil physical properties and maize yield than NT treatment plots. Therefore, to obtain suitable seasonal soil conditions for crop production, cultivable soils should be ploughed, harrowed and hoed twice at 2nd and 5th weeks after ploughing (WAP).

scholarly journals Impacts of Water Erosion on Soil Physical Properties

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 1523-1527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Hladký ◽  
Jaroslava Novotná ◽  
Jakub Elbl ◽  
Jindřich Kynický ◽  
David Juřička ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Capillary Water ◽  
Water Capacity ◽  
The Third ◽  
Air Capacity ◽  
South Moravia

The aim of the paper is to determine the effect of water erosion on maximum capillary water capacity, bulk density, soil airiness, total porosity and minimal air capacity. For this purpose, 13 plots located in South Moravia were selected. Each plot was divided into three positions. The first one, eluvial, was located on the top of the slope. These were always flat and water erosion did not occur there. The second one was midslope position where soil was damaged by water erosion. Soil washed down from the midslope position was accumulated in the third one. It has been found that water erosion has a statistically significant effect on minimal air capacity of topsoil, and on bulk density and airiness of subsoil. Variance analysis showed less variance of values​​ referring all characteristics beyond these: the minimal air capacity of the midslope position damaged by erosion regarding topsoil; and maximum capillary water capacity, soil airiness and porosity regarding the subsoil.

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